Road ace tops qualifying; watch out for Bowyer, others in Sunday field

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Marcos Ambrose has won back-to-back races at Watkins Glen International, but there was one thing he had never done in a Sprint Cup car at the track until Saturday — win the pole.

Ambrose will lead the field to green in the Cheez-It 355 at The Glen on Sunday afternoon. The Richard Petty Motorsports driver will be surrounded by Michael Waltrip Racing drivers as Clint Bowyer will start next to him in second and Martin Truex Jr. will start third.

Here's a look at the lineup for Sunday (1 p.m., ESPN) with a little bit of perspective:

1. Marcos Ambrose, No. 9 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford — The prohibitive favorite before he won the pole. Has won back-to-back races and can drive the road courses like no other on the circuit.

2. Clint Bowyer, No. 15 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota — So you thought his win at Sonoma last year was a fluke? Well, he finished fourth here a year ago and will start second on what he will admit isn't one of his best tracks. By the way, he has the Duck Dynasty dudes on his car.

3. Martin Truex Jr., No. 56 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota — Won the road-course race this year at Sonoma so don't count him out. Has been strong all weekend at The Glen as he led the opening practice.

4. AJ Allmendinger, No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota — Could be a threat Sunday as he tested at The Glen and was fast. Real fast. His starting spot proves it.

5. Kyle Busch, No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota — In 10 years, the finish of the Watkins Glen race from a year ago will still gnaw at him.

6. Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet — Only one top-10 at The Glen in past six races since his third-place finish in 2006. But he has a good car and starting spot, so the potential is there.

7. Paul Menard, No. 27 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet — Never has finished in the top-10 in nine Cup starts at the Glen.

8. Brad Keselowski, No. 2 Penske Racing Ford — Could smile even though he finished second at The Glen in a wild finish a year ago. With his fuel mileage prowess, watch for strategy to be a key for him.

10. Matt Kenseth, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota — Had gone seven consecutive years without a top-10 at The Glen until an eighth last year.

11. Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet — He thinks he can make the Chase if he wins at The Glen. My view? He will need a lot more help than that.

12. Michael McDowell, No. 35 Front Row Motorsports Ford — Moved over to this ride for this race. But this team can't win, right? Well, remember Talladega.

13. Kurt Busch, No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet — Said team has worked on getting the brakes strong enough to withstand his punishment on them for a road course.

14. Ryan Newman, No. 39 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet — Has a win and a fourth the past two weeks and has moved up just one spot in the standings to 15th.

15. Brian Vickers, No. 55 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota — Last time he was in the No. 55 car, he won (at New Hampshire). Won't win but could have good run at The Glen.

16. Carl Edwards, No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford — Has an average finish of 9.4 at this track but has led just one lap. So expect him to be near the front, not just at the front.

17. Greg Biffle, No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford — Finished 10th last week and dropped two spots to 10th in the standings. Even without Stewart, this Chase field bubble is going to get wild.

18. Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet — Watkins Glen is one of five Cup tracks where Johnson hasn't won, and his qualifying lap shows it's not one of his best tracks. Next week at Michigan is another place he will look for his first win.

23. Owen Kelly, No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet — Australian driver making his Cup debut after a fourth-place finish for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Nationwide race at Road America in June.

24. Ron Fellows, No. 33 Circle Sports Racing Chevrolet — Has won both Nationwide and truck races at The Glen, so wouldn't be surprised to see Fellows finish in the top-10. Admitted a little rusty running only occasional races.